Dr. Alex Vines, Research Director for African Programmes at Chatham House, has warned that Ghana and other African nations are vulnerable to the growing conflict between Israel and Iran.
In an interview on Joy News’ PM Express with Evans Mensah on Tuesday, Dr. Vines highlighted that critical sectors—including oil, gold, and international travel—face serious risks from the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
“The conflict affects supply chains, oil and gold prices, and disrupts travel,” he explained.
His remarks followed Israel’s recent military strikes on Iran, which targeted infrastructure and resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian officials. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive “as long as necessary.”
Although geographically distant, Ghana is not insulated from the ripple effects, Dr. Vines stressed. He pointed out that rising petroleum prices and fluctuating gold markets—both vital to Ghana’s economy—are among the immediate consequences.
“Ghana is directly affected. Africa, as a whole, cannot consider itself shielded from the consequences of this conflict,” he noted.
Beyond economic impacts, Dr. Vines also raised concerns about travel disruptions. Ghanaians transiting through or near conflict zones could face delays or cancellations, as flights over Iran and Israel are increasingly being rerouted or suspended.
He also drew connections between the Israel-Iran conflict and other global crises, particularly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has already driven up fuel and commodity prices worldwide.
“These conflicts are overlapping. The war in Ukraine inflated global commodity prices, including fuel—this conflict adds more pressure,” he said.
In a globalised world, Dr. Vines concluded, no country is truly isolated from international security threats. “We are all connected. Ghana cannot simply look away—just as we in the UK cannot.”
